Laparoscopy for Ovarian and Uterine Lesions

In most premenopausal women, ovarian and uterine masses are non-cancerous. For these cases, minimally invasive laparoscopy is a good option for removing the mass without open surgery. The board-certified surgeons in La Peer Health Systems Gynecology Department offer laparoscopy for ovarian and uterine lesions at our newly remodeled outpatient facility in Beverly Hills. If you're interested in learning more about laparoscopy, or if you think you may be suffering from an ovarian or uterine mass, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment by calling 855.360.9119.

Types of Ovarian and Uterine Lesions

The doctors at La Peer utilize laparoscopy to removal various types of ovarian and uterine lesions:

Ovarian Cysts — Liquid-filled sacs that develop on the walls of the ovary, cysts may occur when an ovarian follicle fails to rupture and release an egg. While most cysts are benign and cause little discomfort, in some patients cysts can lead to pelvic pain, menstrual cycle irregularities, pain during intercourse and other symptoms.

Uterine Fibroids — Benign tumors developing inside the uterus, fibroids can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms including pain, heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pressure and backaches. In rare cases, fibroids can interfere with a woman's ability to become pregnant or bring a pregnancy to term.

Uterine Polyps — Although these growths are usually benign, some uterine polyps can be precancerous, meaning that they may turn into cancer. Removing uterine polyps from the inner walls of the uterus may help prevent women from developing uterine cancer later.

Treating Ovarian and Uterine Masses

Generally, the board-certified OB-GYNs at La Peer recommend removing painful ovarian or uterine masses, masses that exceed 3 centimeters in diameter and those growths suspected of being cancerous. If a mass is found to be cancerous, you may need a hysterectomy to remove the growth. However, most growths found in premenopausal patients are benign and can be safely removed with laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy Procedure

Laparoscopy enables doctors to remove ovarian or uterine masses with smaller incisions. Using this surgical method may help shorten recovery time and lessen post-operative pain.

During a laparoscopy, our expert surgeons will create a small incision below the naval. After inserting a thin tube with a camera on the end, known as a laparoscope, the surgeon will be able to find the mass. He or she will then create two additional small incisions in order to remove the cyst or lesion. Once the mass has been removed, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches or staples.

One of the benefits of laparoscopy over open surgery is that patients spend less time under anesthesia. In most cases, laparoscopy takes just one to two hours to perform. At La Peer, our doctors perform laparoscopies on an outpatient basis, meaning that patients can leave our facility on the day of the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if my lesion is cancerous?

A: In the rare circumstance that a mass is identified as cancerous during laparoscopy, surgeons may need to perform a staging procedure to determine if the cancer has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes.

Q: How long will I stay at La Peer after my surgery?

A: You will be able to leave our surgery center a few hour after undergoing laparoscopy.

Q: Will I be in pain during the procedure?

A: Because you will be under anesthesia during a laparoscopy, you will experience no pain. Our surgeons will provide you with painkilling medications to alleviate any discomfort you experience after surgery.

Q: When can I resume sex after surgery?

A: You may need to wait two weeks before resuming sexual activity after laparoscopy.

Q: What are the advantages of having a laparoscopy to remove my mass?

A: Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that requires smaller incisions and less recovery time than open surgery. Because laparoscopy is an outpatient procedure, you can have surgery at an outpatient facility like La Peer rather than a large hospital. In general, patients at outpatient facilities spend less time under anesthesia and enjoy shorter recovery times with reduced risk of infection or illness due to contact with patients who are sick.

Contact La Peer Health Systems Today

Laparoscopy is an effective procedure for removing ovarian and uterine masses including cysts and fibroids. Contact us today for information about how laparoscopy can relieve your pain and symptoms.

The information available on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician's judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions. Click here to learn more about our privacy practices.